So, what was the consequence for the "dramatic" student today?
We had lunch together.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Too tired to start my blog- well, maybe alittle...
I just learned that if you do a "google search" while you are writing your blog-
it DELETES everything you wrote!
$#!&!!
You would have loved reading what I had written too.
Good stuff!
Poignant and humorous.
Well, live and learn!
And, by the way, that is one of the subjects I hit on in my DELETED article-
HUMILITY!
In relating many of the things that I have learned in my years of teaching both elementary (I did teach High School art for 4 years too many years ago- B.K./Before my Kids) and middle school I was saying that 2 of the most important suggestions I can give anyone wanting to be a teacher is:
1. Find and take the course called "Understanding Teaching".
That alone will give you all of the "tricks of the trade" you'll need to be a successful, effective teacher! Best course I ever took!
2. Ask around, ask principals, ask kids- which teachers they would recommend that you OBSERVE to see the different styles of delivery. You will find your own style, but you will see the different ways that these exemplary educators work WITH their students. Note various classroom management techinques. Even the logistics of ordering and organizing supplies which is a BIGGIE in art!
And then I said that I am STILL LEARNING- everyday! From my fellow staff members and from my students.
That brings me back to the word HUMILITY.
HUMILTY is one of the characteristics that I value most in a person.
I learned a while back that the definition of HUMILITY is:
"Being TEACHABLE". "Being open to learning".
I find that I feel that I can trust people who have humility.
They make the best friends!
SOMETHING I MAY HAVE LEARNED TODAY
I have been having trouble with a particular student this term who has been exhibiting behavior to delight and entertain her peers by disrupting my teaching.
Now what I do in these cases, when my teaching (explanation/demo time) is interrupted is to stop, look at the student, say their name, state the behavior I am witnessing, state why that is a problem for me, their classmates and them, and give them the choice of staying in class if they end the disruptive behavior, or go into the hall- which also means that said student will have to come to be with me during their lunch (and, alas, mine) for a "detention".
Ok- that is my main discipline technique.
Worked 99.99% of the time when I taught elementary school- K-5 for 11 years.
Middle school kids are alittle more complicated and I'm still working on fine tuning AND coming up with MORE tricks for my "TEACHING MS SURVIVAL BAG".
THIS time what happened was that one of my 8th grade classes came in during one of the lunch blocks- which are 3 blocks in the middle of the day when the various grades have lunch.
There are no bells at the end of one block and the beginning of the next- so we go by the clock.
Kids came in, sat down looking at me ready for my "presentation time", which I will elaborate on next time, I started presenting the lesson, looking at them, figuring I'd take attendance later (it's a class of about 18, not too big) I turned around to look at my white board, looked back that the kids and saw one of my more "challenging" students looking as though she had just rushed in! About 10 mins. late.
I mentioned that she was late and would need to make it up and she exhibited a very dramatic denial, saying that she had been there all along, sitting beside one of the girls- I pointed out that there was not a stool beside that student- she said she was sitting on the same stool as the student......sigh.
I told her that I would need to talk with her later, she, (always with great drama this one) became loudly indignant saying that I always blame her for everything (gee, I do that to my son too!) yadda yadda.
What did I learn?
I learned that I need to TAKE ATTENDANCE AND SHUT THE DOOR FIRST THING during every class- especially this one!
I also decided that I would, instead of just taking the time it takes for my initial presentation at the start of every class, which sometimes takes up to 15 mins. of their 58 min. class-
that I will SET A TIMER for the amount of time I have to give my initial spiel.
I think 12 mins. Sounds about right.
This way I am letting them know the start and stop of MY TIME to talk, THEIR TIME to be quiet and listen- and then we will launch into THEIR WORK TIME- which lasts until the final about 7 mins of class when we have our CLEAN-UP time.
When I remember to set the timer or look at the clock.
So-
I'd better write this down.
OH, I just did!
Here is what I learned and what I will do to better my teaching:
I will:
#1. Take attendance IMMEDIATELY!
#2. Set timer.
no......
I will:
#1. EXPLAIN to the kids that I realize I need to take attendance first thing so that I can know who is there to get my entire lesson.
and EXPLAIN to them that I will from here on allow myself- 12 mins. for my presentation.
When the timer "dings", they may get to work! Period! That way they know exactly how long I expect them to be quiet and attentive and when they will get to work.
#2. Take attendance first thing.
#3. Set timer!
Well, that's it for now.
I'm going to watch the final debate between Obama and McCain.
it DELETES everything you wrote!
$#!&!!
You would have loved reading what I had written too.
Good stuff!
Poignant and humorous.
Well, live and learn!
And, by the way, that is one of the subjects I hit on in my DELETED article-
HUMILITY!
In relating many of the things that I have learned in my years of teaching both elementary (I did teach High School art for 4 years too many years ago- B.K./Before my Kids) and middle school I was saying that 2 of the most important suggestions I can give anyone wanting to be a teacher is:
1. Find and take the course called "Understanding Teaching".
That alone will give you all of the "tricks of the trade" you'll need to be a successful, effective teacher! Best course I ever took!
2. Ask around, ask principals, ask kids- which teachers they would recommend that you OBSERVE to see the different styles of delivery. You will find your own style, but you will see the different ways that these exemplary educators work WITH their students. Note various classroom management techinques. Even the logistics of ordering and organizing supplies which is a BIGGIE in art!
And then I said that I am STILL LEARNING- everyday! From my fellow staff members and from my students.
That brings me back to the word HUMILITY.
HUMILTY is one of the characteristics that I value most in a person.
I learned a while back that the definition of HUMILITY is:
"Being TEACHABLE". "Being open to learning".
I find that I feel that I can trust people who have humility.
They make the best friends!
SOMETHING I MAY HAVE LEARNED TODAY
I have been having trouble with a particular student this term who has been exhibiting behavior to delight and entertain her peers by disrupting my teaching.
Now what I do in these cases, when my teaching (explanation/demo time) is interrupted is to stop, look at the student, say their name, state the behavior I am witnessing, state why that is a problem for me, their classmates and them, and give them the choice of staying in class if they end the disruptive behavior, or go into the hall- which also means that said student will have to come to be with me during their lunch (and, alas, mine) for a "detention".
Ok- that is my main discipline technique.
Worked 99.99% of the time when I taught elementary school- K-5 for 11 years.
Middle school kids are alittle more complicated and I'm still working on fine tuning AND coming up with MORE tricks for my "TEACHING MS SURVIVAL BAG".
THIS time what happened was that one of my 8th grade classes came in during one of the lunch blocks- which are 3 blocks in the middle of the day when the various grades have lunch.
There are no bells at the end of one block and the beginning of the next- so we go by the clock.
Kids came in, sat down looking at me ready for my "presentation time", which I will elaborate on next time, I started presenting the lesson, looking at them, figuring I'd take attendance later (it's a class of about 18, not too big) I turned around to look at my white board, looked back that the kids and saw one of my more "challenging" students looking as though she had just rushed in! About 10 mins. late.
I mentioned that she was late and would need to make it up and she exhibited a very dramatic denial, saying that she had been there all along, sitting beside one of the girls- I pointed out that there was not a stool beside that student- she said she was sitting on the same stool as the student......sigh.
I told her that I would need to talk with her later, she, (always with great drama this one) became loudly indignant saying that I always blame her for everything (gee, I do that to my son too!) yadda yadda.
What did I learn?
I learned that I need to TAKE ATTENDANCE AND SHUT THE DOOR FIRST THING during every class- especially this one!
I also decided that I would, instead of just taking the time it takes for my initial presentation at the start of every class, which sometimes takes up to 15 mins. of their 58 min. class-
that I will SET A TIMER for the amount of time I have to give my initial spiel.
I think 12 mins. Sounds about right.
This way I am letting them know the start and stop of MY TIME to talk, THEIR TIME to be quiet and listen- and then we will launch into THEIR WORK TIME- which lasts until the final about 7 mins of class when we have our CLEAN-UP time.
When I remember to set the timer or look at the clock.
So-
I'd better write this down.
OH, I just did!
Here is what I learned and what I will do to better my teaching:
I will:
#1. Take attendance IMMEDIATELY!
#2. Set timer.
no......
I will:
#1. EXPLAIN to the kids that I realize I need to take attendance first thing so that I can know who is there to get my entire lesson.
and EXPLAIN to them that I will from here on allow myself- 12 mins. for my presentation.
When the timer "dings", they may get to work! Period! That way they know exactly how long I expect them to be quiet and attentive and when they will get to work.
#2. Take attendance first thing.
#3. Set timer!
Well, that's it for now.
I'm going to watch the final debate between Obama and McCain.
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